BJ Penn vs. Diego Sanchez Now Slated for UFC 107 on December 12 in Memphis

A UFC lightweight championship matchup between title-holder BJ Penn and challenger Diego Sanchez is now slated to take place at UFC 107 on December 12 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Penn and UFC President Dana White announced the new date for the matchup on Thursday on Penn’s official website (see video embedded below).

Penn-Sanchez was originally rumored for UFC 105 on November 14 in the UK, then was expected to headline a third November event which would kick off a network TV deal for the UFC, but it will instead co-headline UFC 107, which is rumored to feature a main event between light heavyweight contenders and TUF 10 coaches Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans, though that fight is reportedly in jeopardy due to Jackson’s possible role in the upcoming “A-Team” movie.

Penn (14-5-1) successfully defended the lightweight belt last month at UFC 101, defeating Kenny Florian by fourth-round submission for his fourth win in last five fights. Prior to a January loss to Georges St-Pierre at welterweight, “The Prodigy” won consecutive lightweight bouts over Jens Pulver, Joe Stevenson, and Sean Sherk.

Sanchez (23-2), a former welterweight contender with wins over the likes of Nick Diaz, Joe Riggs, and Karo Parisyan, made his anticipated lightweight debut in February with a unanimous decision over Joe Stevenson. In his most-recent fight, “Nightmare” topped Clay Guida by split decision in June in a victory that has apparently earned him a shot at the 155-pound belt.